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April 9, 2013

New Widget Makes Donor-Advised Fund Giving Easier

Donors can recommend grants from nonprofits’ websites

A group of donor-advised fund sponsors and nonprofit groups have developed a widget designed to help nonprofits simplify charitable giving and tap into DAFs.

The new web application, DAF Direct, will enable donors to initiate a grant recommendation from their charitable account with a DAF sponsor while on a nonprofit’s website, according to an announcement on Tuesday by Fidelity Charitable, an independent public charity with a DAF program.

The widget is already connected to Fidelity Charitable, which led the development effort, and Schwab Charitable, and is in use on these participating nonprofit websites:

“Today’s donors are taking a more strategic approach to philanthropy and, at the same time, looking for simplicity and convenience in how, when and where they give,” Sarah Libbey, president of Fidelity Charitable, said in the statement.

“This has led to an increase in both online giving and the use of donor-advised funds. The DAF Direct widget connects these two movements to offer donors an additional and convenient giving option. It also allows nonprofits to provide a simple, seamless granting experience for the growing number of donors who use a donor-advised fund."

Fidelity said the widget was available for all qualified nonprofit organizations to add to their websites. As well, plans are afoot to expand to other national and community foundation DAF sponsors.